Office of Global Health and HIV (OGHH) Ebola Community Education and Preparedness Training Materials

What do they know?

 Identify Ebola misinformation in your communities and possible impacts of that misinformation.  Identify the appropriate role and responsibilities for Volunteers to engage in Ebola education and prevention activities.  Utilize a case scenario to develop practical responses to potential scenarios faced while providing community education on Ebola.  Adapt Ebola informational resource to your community’s culture, language, and context. Learning Objectives

West Africa Outbreak  The hemorrhagic fever outbreak that began in December 2013 was first confirmed to be Ebola in March  It is the largest and most widespread outbreak since the virus was identified in  Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone have been most heavily affected.

West Africa Outbreak, continued WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan says the Ebola outbreak is “the largest, most complex, and most severe we’ve ever seen.”

Complexities of Current Outbreak Geographic Spread Larger urban settings with high- density, over-populated areas. Rural communities with limited access to health care facilities. Transient communities between countries have allowed for easier movement of the virus by land. Lack of sufficient prevention and care-seeking community education especially in rural/ hard-to-reach communities.

Complexities, continued Stigma Healthcare Limited healthcare staff Healthcare Staff/ Caregivers are being infected with the virus A hidden caseload of Ebola patients who do not seek care at a clinic has resulted, in part, from the stigma associated with Ebola infection.

Roles and Responsibilities

1 How to Talk to Your Community If you are conducting Ebola education and preparedness activities, you should: Know basic Ebola facts: transmission, signs & symptoms, etc. Understand challenges associated with taking on Ebola education campaigns in your community 2 Follow recommendations for implementing Ebola education and preparedness efforts as identified by PC and your country’s MOH 3

How to Talk to Your Community Know Basic Ebola Facts: Transmission, Signs & Symptoms, etc. 1

How to Talk to Your Community Dispel myths and spread messages on what to do if someone becomes sick. Understand people’s knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors regarding Ebola, and tailor messages accordingly 2 Understand challenges of undertaking Ebola education campaigns in your community 2 Be aware that some communities: Perceive that corpses are treated poorly Lack trust in Ebola treatment centers Avoid going to treatment facilities because of insufficient space

Health Campaigns

How to Talk to Your Community Varying literacy rates Consistent and persistent messaging Behavior change takes time Understand challenges of undertaking Ebola education campaigns in your community 2 What challenges might you face in your Ebola education efforts in your community? Community Perceptions: Low perceived risk of infection Lack of trust in government as a source of information Mixed messages and platform

How to Talk to Your Community Follow recommendations for implementing Ebola education efforts as defined by the Peace Corps and your country’s Ministry of Health 3 Suggestions on how to best reach community members with important information: Use more graphic messaging and face- to-face prevention awareness & education. Generalized messages have been ineffective and lose credibility. Tailor messages to cultural norms, beliefs, and practices relevant to the audience being targeted. Use survivors, if feasible, to deliver messages because they help demystify the disease and break down stigma and discrimination. Educate religious/community leaders to dispel myths and rumors, and to address stigma or discrimination surrounding Ebola.

Group Task(10 minutes) As a group:  Read and discuss your scenario  Respond to the questions  How will you demonstrate your scenario and your response to your scenario in five minutes?  Prepare and practice your response to share with the whole group

Your Task  Choose one to adapt for use in community, responsive to assessed need (5 min).  Adapt one resource to be contextually appropriate (including local terminology) for educating groups in your community about Ebola education and preparedness (30 min).  Reminder: it is important to acknowledge and be sensitive to the beliefs (correct or incorrect), fears, and concerns communities have about Ebola. Share progress so far with group (10 minutes)

Reflection How do you plan to integrate use of Ebola messages into your work in your community? What would be your intended impacts?